Tooth brush cover



oct. 27, 1959 A. L.. PEAsLEE l 2,910,172

TooTx-x BRUSH COVER "Filed sept. 13, 1955 BY l i ATToEYs TOOTH BRUSH COVER Alexander L. Peaslee, Arlington, Va.

Application September 13, 1955, Serial No. 534,136

' 1 Claim. (c1. 20s-15.1)

The invention relates to covers for tooth brushes, and particularly to covers for allowing brushes to be carried in the pocket when traveling.

Many persons fail to brush their teeth with regularity, particularly when traveling or during oice hours, because of the inconvenience of carrying .a brush and the diiculty of protecting it when it is wet. The primary object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement by which a tooth brush can easily be carried in a purse or a coat pocket, while it is fully protected at all times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cover for tooth brushes which is of simple but inexpensive construction, so that its use will be facilitated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this type which is easy to use in applying it to and removing it from the brush.

An additional object of the vinvention isY to provide a cover which will protect the clothes or possessions of the person carrying it fromv being wet by the brush, while allowing the brush to dry out.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in cross-section one form of tooth brush cover embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the bottom part of the cover at right angles to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section through a modified form of cover;

Fig. 5 -is a cross-section through the closure member of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 shows in cross-section still a third modication of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the line 7 7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a holding member of still another form.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, there is a tube portion 2 of rectangular cross-section having a closed top 4 and an open bottom. This may be made of plastic, metal or other suitable material. It is provided with holes 6 to allow air to enter and moisture to escape from the interior. It also may have a clip 8 by which it may be secured to the pocket.

Member 2 is of such size as to receive comfortably a tooth brush indicated at 10, having a handle 12. The

United States Patent O 2,910,172 Patented Oct. 27, 1959 ICC small inward flange 18 on the lowerend of part 2. Plate l 14 is cut away at one side, and does not ll the completei opening, so as to allow space for the handle 12 of a tooth brush. The member 2 is of such length that a tooth brush can be pushed entirely into it, and the bristles will pass the ap 14 in its raised position (see broken lines in Fig. 2), so that this member can drop down on the flange 18. To remove the tooth brush, all that is necessary is to turn it upside down and flap 14 will fall out of the way.

In the form of Figs. 4 and 5, there is a round tube or cap 20 closed atvits upper end, andin the lower end is pivoted at 22 aflap 24 of semi-circular cross-section as shown in Fig. 5. This flap has a V-shaped notch 26, intok which can t the handle 28 of a tooth brush. This ar-V rangement is especially adapted for tooth brushes where the head carrying the bristles is offset from the handle. Outward swinging of flap 24 is prevented by a ange 29 on the lower edge of member 20. f

In the form of Figs. 6 and 7, the cap 30 has a closed end 32 and an inwardly threaded open lower end. It may be provided with a clip 34 for holding it in the pocket and with hole 36. A ring 38 of metal or kplastic: is provided, the central portion of which is lled with a soft rubber body 40, having a slot 42 into which can lit the handle 44 of a tooth brush 46. The slot is made slightly smaller than the ordinary -tooth brush handle, so as to grip it tightly. Ring 38 is externally threaded and can be secured into the open lower end of tube 30, so that the brush is held within the cover. The ring itself is readily removable from the handle when the covervis not to be used.

In the case of tooth brushes having offset heads, the arrangement shown in Fig. 8 may be used. The ring 38 has a central portion of soft rubber 40', having a cen-A trally located slot 42 for receiving handle 44 of the brush. This can be threaded into the cap 30 of Figs. 6 and 7.

I claim:

A tooth brush cover comprising an elongated hollow member having a closed end and an open. end, a flap hinged at one side of the open end for movement into the interior of the hollow member, said flap being narrower than the open end in a direction parallel to its pivot axis to leave a space for the handle of a tooth brush, said member being of a length at least as great as the sum of the length of a tooth brush head and the length of said flap, said member having an inwardly projecting flange at its lower end engageable with said ap to prevent outward movement of the ap.

References Cited in the file of this patent vUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,079,618 Trayne Nov. 25, 1913 1,212,645 Kane et al Ian. 16, 1917 1,257,860 Hennen Feb. 26, 1918 1,554,257 Buckley Sept. 22, 1925 1,820,077 Larson Aug. 25, 1931 2,418,615 Barna Apr. 8, 1947 

